Latest news with #TallahasseePoliceDepartment
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
Internet Reacts After Florida Man in Chuck E. Cheese Costume Arrested
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Social media erupted after a man in a Chuck E. Cheese costume was arrested and led out of the restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida, while families and kids watched the detainment of the man wearing a giant mouse head. A photo of the employee's arrest was widely distributed and viewed online in a Facebook post from freelance writer and former trial lawyer Chuck Hobbs. Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y'all couldn't let this man change out of his Chuck E. Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids? 🤔😭🙄 "Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y'all couldn't let this man change out of his Chuck E. Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?" he wrote in a caption accompanying the photo. Why It Matters The Leon County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Newsweek that the suspect is 41-year-old Jermell Jarreau Jones. According to police records, Jones was arrested on three felony counts: criminal use of personal identification information, theft of a credit card and fraudulent use of a credit card over two times within six months. Contact information for an attorney representing Jones was not immediately available. Video footage and photos of him being taken into custody were widely circulated on social media, given the nature of the arrest and the circumstances surrounding it. Multiple photos and videos also showed shocked patrons looking on while Jones was handcuffed and led out into the restaurant's parking lot before officers had him remove his costume outside a police car. Chuck E. Cheese is pictured in Laurel, Maryland, on June 23, 2020. Chuck E. Cheese is pictured in Laurel, Maryland, on June 23, 2020. Julia Weeks/AP What To Know The internet flew into a frenzy after Jones' arrest, with a slew of users making Chuck E. Cheese references while discussing the news. "Bail has been set at 3,500 tickets," Chase Mitchell, writer for The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, wrote on X in response to the news. Bail has been set at 3,500 tickets — Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) July 24, 2025 Emily C. Singer, writer for left-wing outlet Daily Kos, posted a screenshot of an officer leading Jones out of the restaurant in handcuffs while he was still dressed in the famous mouse's costume. "Record scratch, freeze frame ... 'You're probably wondering how I found myself in this situation,'" Singer wrote. Barstool Sports posted on X: "NOOOO THEY GOT CHUCK E. CHEESE." The post was accompanied by a video of the suspect having the head of the costume removed by police officers while he was standing while handcuffed outside the establishment. Right-wing commentator Nick Sortor wrote: "JUST IN: 'Chuck E. Cheese' has been ARRESTED in Florida ... Man, Chuck's finally hit rock bottom, it seems. What a shame." What People Are Saying The Tallahassee Democrat cited an employee at the restaurant who said of the arrest: "It's unfortunate that it happened here." The employee, who was not identified in the report, told the news outlet that Jones' arrest did not have anything to do with the company. What Happens Next Jones has been released on bond, according to police records.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Chuck E. Cheese mascot arrested in Tallahassee for credit card fraud
A Chuck E. Cheese employee dressed as the popular mouse mascot was arrested by Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) officers for credit card fraud, leaving families stunned as the arrest unfolded in front of children. The incident, which occurred at a Chuck E. Cheese location in Tallahassee, was captured by onlookers and quickly spread across social media. Images show officers escorting the costumed man out of the restaurant, with one viral photo showing the mascot head placed atop a police squad car. 🚨 JUST IN: 'Chuck E. Cheese' has been ARRESTED in Florida on multiple felonies, including credit card fraud and identity theft, per the Tallahassee Democrat Man, Chuck's finally hit rock bottom, it seems. What a shame. — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 24, 2025 TPD spokesperson Jerome Maples confirmed the arrest, stating the man was charged with three felonies. According to the Leon County Clerk of Courts, the charges include theft of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification information, and fraudulent use of a credit card more than twice within six months. The suspect was booked at Leon County Jail but has since been released on bond. TPD has not yet released the man's name or further case details. The Tallahassee Democrat has requested court records and additional comment from TPD regarding how such arrests are handled in family environments. A Chuck E. Cheese employee at the scene stressed the incident was not connected to the company itself, stating, 'It's unfortunate that it happened here,' and declining further comment. This unusual arrest at a children's entertainment venue has sparked viral debate and raised concerns over public arrests in family settings.
Cedar News
5 days ago
- Cedar News
📰 Chuck E. Cheese Arrest in Tallahassee Sparks Online Frenzy
Chuck E. Cheese Arrest: Tallahassee Families Shocked as Police Detain Mascot Performer Tallahassee is buzzing with reactions after the now-viral Chuck E. Cheese arrest, where a man dressed as the beloved mascot was taken into custody by local police during business hours. The incident took place at a popular Chuck E. Cheese location in Tallahassee, Florida, and quickly became the talk of local social media, with videos and photos circulating widely. The arrest occurred in full view of children and families. Footage shows two officers from the Tallahassee Police Department escorting the man in costume out of the restaurant. A later photo showed the unmasked individual, with the Chuck E. Cheese mascot head placed atop a police squad car, further fueling public attention. TPD spokesperson Jerome Maples confirmed the authenticity of the incident. 'Yes, our officers arrested an individual in connection with three felony charges,' Maples said. 'The man happened to be dressed as the Chuck E. Cheese mascot at the time of arrest.' Maples declined to share additional details but emphasized the charges were serious. Charges Behind the Chuck E. Cheese Arrest According to court documents retrieved from the Leon County Clerk of Courts, the arrested individual faces the following felony charges: Theft of a credit card Criminal use of personal identification information Fraudulent use of a credit card over two times within six months The suspect was booked at Leon County Jail but has since been released on bond. The man's identity has not yet been made public by authorities. Community Reactions and Legal Follow-Up The Chuck E. Cheese arrest has triggered a range of reactions online. Some people criticized the police for not waiting until the man had exited the restaurant or removed the costume. Others argued the police acted appropriately given the severity of the charges. Many parents expressed concern over the potential trauma for children present during the arrest. 'My 5-year-old cried the whole way home,' said one parent. 'He thought the real Chuck E. Cheese got arrested.' The Tallahassee Democrat has filed a request for court records and is following up with law enforcement for more information.
Miami Herald
26-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Babysitter's boyfriend killed toddler with ‘multiple' head punches, FL cops say
A 1-year-old who had stopped breathing one morning had suffered 'multiple' fist punches to the head, according to investigators in north Florida. It happened at a home in Tallahassee, and first responders were summoned around 9:15 a.m. Monday, June 23, the Tallahassee Police Department said in a June 24 news release. 'Life-saving measures were immediately attempted, but sadly, the child was pronounced deceased at a local hospital,' police said. 'Initially treated as a death investigation, detectives quickly uncovered signs of foul play. An autopsy revealed the child had suffered severe injuries, including multiple strikes to the head with a closed fist that ultimately caused the child's death.' The department's Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation, leading to the arrest of Deric Young, police said. 'Detectives learned the child was left in the care of Young, the boyfriend of the woman hired to watch the child, the night before the incident occurred,' police said. 'Detectives developed probably cause.' Details of a motive have not been released. Young told police he had been smoking cannabis while tending the child, the Tallahassee Democrat reported citing an affidavit. 'When I smoke, I want to play,' the newspaper quoted him as telling police. Young is charged with murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse and cruelty toward a child/aggravated battery on a child, jail records show.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Liberty County Sheriff's Office to host Junior Deputy Day Camp
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla (WMBB) – Sheriff Dusty Arnold and his team are hosting the Annual Junior Deputy Day Camp this summer. On June 26, kids can get a first-hand look at the role of law enforcement in the community in a fun and engaging way. The event will be hosted at the W.R. Tolar K-8 school in partnership with the 21st Century Program. Agencies from across the Panhandle will be taking part in the fun. Bay County Courthouse to open new South Wing 'We invited all the kids to spend a day with law enforcement from all over North Florida. We got the Tallahassee Police Department coming over, and they're going to bring their SWAT team, their Bearcat, and show all their different equipment, FWC. Last year, we had the United States Air Force out of Panama City come up here, and it's just a cool time and a great time to spend with kids,' Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said. Children enrolled in the 21st Century Program can sign up directly through their school. If your child is not in the 21st Century Program, click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
